Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti addressed Lok Sabha question 860 regarding the 'Masterplan for Artificial Recharge of Groundwater.' The plan, created by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) with state input, aims to construct approximately 1.42 crore recharge structures nationwide, potentially harnessing 185 BCM of rainwater. While no specific funds were allocated, states are encouraged to converge the plan with existing schemes. The plan is recommendatory, and implementation is at the discretion of the states.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Master Plan Overview:**
* The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater 2020 is a macro-level plan.
* It recommends various groundwater recharge structures tailored to different terrains.
* The plan targets approximately 1.42 crore structures nationwide.
* It aims to harness about 185 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of rainwater.
* It considers state and region-specific conditions, including groundwater status, rainfall, and soil structure.
* **Funding and Implementation:**
* No specific funds are allocated under the plan.
* States are expected to converge the plan with existing schemes like MGNREGS and PMKSY.
* CGWB has constructed demonstrative recharge structures in some states.
* Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) coordinated the construction/renovation of 1.14 crore water conservation structures (2021-2025).
* The estimated cost for JSA-related activities is Rs. 1.18 lakh crore.
* **State-Level Implementation:**
* State governments implement the Master Plan as suited to their needs.
* A nodal agency is not mandatory.
* Punjab has entrusted implementation to the Soil and Water Conservation Department in priority areas.
* The actual construction of structures may vary based on the implementing agency's assessment.
* The Water Resources Department in Punjab has constructed various recharge structures across all districts, guided by the Master Plan.
* **Rainwater Harvesting Potential:**
* The estimated rainwater harvesting potential is approximately 185 BCM across the country.
* State-wise potential is detailed in Annexure II.
* **Structure Maintenance:**
* Operation and maintenance of constructed structures are the responsibility of respective states.
* States must ensure structures are cleaned, maintained, and repaired.
* **Annexure I:**
* Provides a state-wise breakdown of the number and type of artificial recharge structures recommended under the Master Plan.
* **Annexure II:**
* Details the state-wise estimated rainwater harvesting potential through the proposed structures.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* Expected to implement the Master Plan by converging it with existing schemes and considering local conditions. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the recharge structures.
* *Action Required:* Integrate the Master Plan with state-level schemes, construct and maintain recharge structures, and ensure their functionality.
* **Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for preparing the Master Plan and providing technical guidance.
* *Action Required:* Continue to provide support to states for the implementation of the plan.
* **Ministry of Jal Shakti:**
* *Impact:* Oversees the implementation of the Master Plan and coordinates efforts through initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the progress of the plan and provide necessary support to state governments.
* **Implementing Agencies (e.g., Water Resources Department, Soil and Water Conservation Department):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the actual construction and maintenance of recharge structures.
* *Action Required:* Construct and maintain recharge structures as per the Master Plan, considering local conditions and guidelines.
* **Citizens/Communities:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from improved groundwater availability and water conservation efforts.
* *Action Required:* Participate in water conservation efforts and ensure the proper use and maintenance of recharge structures.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): An organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for ground water management.
Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater 2020: A plan prepared by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) for artificial recharge of groundwater across India.
MGNREGS: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, an Indian labor law and social security measure.
PMKSY: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, an Indian government scheme for irrigation.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan JSA: An umbrella campaign implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for water conservation.
Punjab: A state in India where the Soil and Water Conservation department is responsible for implementing the Master Plan.
Maharashtra: A state in India where Bridge-cum-Bhandaras have been built as innovative recharge cum storage structures.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 860
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
MASTERPLAN FOR ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE OF GROUNDWATER
860. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the allocation and utilization of funds under the 'Masterplan for Artificial Recharge of Groundwater' so
far, State/UT-wise;
(b) the details regarding the State-level nodal agency that has been specified for overseeing this scheme in
the different States especially in Punjab;
(c) the number and type of structures for artificial groundwater recharge that have been planned and
completed under the 'Masterplan for Artificial Recharge of Groundwater' in the country, State/UT-wise and
district-wise in Punjab;
(d) the estimated rainwater harnessing potential of these structures in the country, State-wise; and
(e) the functional status of these structures, State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 has been prepared by Central Ground Water
Board (CGWB) in consultation with States/UTs which is a macro level plan indicating various GW recharge
structures for the different terrain conditions of the country. The plan aims to construct approximately 1.42
crore such structures across India, potentially harnessing about 185 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of
rainwater. This involves identifying state and region-specific GW conservation related interventions suitable
to local conditions like existing status of ground water resources, average rainfall, rock and soil structure
etc.
The plan has been shared with all state governments for taking up appropriate field interventions in
convergence with schemes like MGNREGS, PMKSY and other state schemes and hence no specific fund
has been allotted for this purpose.
However, the Central Ground Water Board has taken up construction of several artificial recharge
structures in many states for demonstrative purpose which can be further scaled up by the state
governments. Check dams, Percolation Tanks, Recharge shafts etc. have been constructed in the
Aspirational Districts of Warangal, YSR Kadappa and Osmanabad at a total expenditure of Rs.54.38 cr.
Innovative recharge cum storage structures like Bridge-cum- Bhandaras have been built in Maharashtra with
1an expenditure of Rs.30 cr. Further, around 130 anicuts, check dams etc. have been constructed in the water
stressed parts of Rajasthan at an expenditure of around Rs. 120 cr.
Moreover, under the umbrella campaign of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) being implemented by this
Ministry, during the period 2021-2025 construction/renovation of 1.14 crore artificial recharge, rain water
harvesting and other water conservation structures at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.18 lakh cr have been
coordinated across the country in convergence with MGNREGS.
(b) State Governments have been taking up implementation of Master plan as suited to their internal needs.
It is not mandatory to have a Nodal agency for its implementation as the structures proposed to be
constructed are to be taken up in convergence under several existing central and state schemes. As informed
by the government of Punjab, the Soil and Water Conservation department has been entrusted with the
responsibility of implementation of Master plan in the state in the selected priority areas.
(c) The number and type of structures for artificial groundwater recharge that have been recommended
under the ‘Master plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater' in the country, including in Punjab, is
provided at Annexure-I. Further, based on the persuasion of this Ministry, most of the States/UTs,
including Punjab have taken up the implementation in selected priority areas. However, since the Master
plan is only recommendatory in nature, actual construction of structures in the field may vary in terms of
location, size, type etc. as felt appropriate by the implementing agency. As per the information received, the
Water Resources Department, Punjab has constructed 236 injection wells, 425 check dams, 2556 soak pits,
123 new ponds and 5 Khambati wells, spread across all the districts of Punjab, most of which are as guided
by the Master plan.
(d) As per the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water, it is estimated that approximately 185
Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) of monsoon rainfall can be harnessed across the country. The State/UT-wise
estimated rainwater harvesting potential through the proposed structures is provided at Annexure-II.
(e) The operation and maintenance of constructed structures falls in the purview of respective states which
have to ensure that such structures are duly cleaned, maintained and repaired from time to time.
***
2ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 860 TO
BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING “MASTERPLAN FOR
ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE OF GROUNDWATER”.
State wise Number and Type of Artificial Recharge Structures under Master Plan for Artificial
Recharge-2020
S. State CD RS RTRW PT Gabi DS Inje SS SS Other Total
N H on ctio D Dev s
o n /
well WS
s Dev
1 Andhra Pradesh 13143 26209 263694 13085 0 0 0 0 0 0 316131
2 Bihar 122 5682 50000 428 0 12679 13811 0 0 8415 91137
3 Chhattisgarh 0 25687 118339 3426 0 0 0 0 0 30989 178441
4 Delhi 12 22706 304500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 327218
5 Goa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 931 931
6 Gujarat 3985 8607 1320947 701 0 0 0 0 0 2072 1336312
7 Haryana 335 44392 304377 0 0 0 0 0 0 393811 742915
8 Himachal Pradesh 2290 556 1050 0 108118 851 133 460 0 784 114242
9 Jharkhand 36062 1268 521692 5173 0 0 0 0 0 27455 591650
10 Karnataka 50527 436 0 9918 0 0 0 0 0 344 61225
11 Kerala 1260 0 482788 1395 196116 0 5 121 0 67943 749628
12 Madhya Pradesh 76002 76002 408938 12309 0 0 0 0 0 152085 725336
13 Maharashtra 19243 838 5646772 7188 0 0 0 0 0 8995 5683036
14 NE States 18821 0 15700 0 18835 0 0 0 11531 473149 538036
15 Odisha 1292 550 15700 1111 0 0 0 1051 0 2782 22486
16 Punjab 85 79839 551308 0 0 0 13410 0 0 455920 1100562
17 Rajasthan 32744 231 0 63158 0 0 0 0 0 674067 770200
18 Sikkim 380 0 1500 0 450 0 0 125 540 340 3335
19 Tamilnadu 7180 70460 0 2397 0 0 0 0 0 7685 87722
20 Telangana 11552 22188 555093 10636 0 0 0 0 0 0 599469
21 Uttar Pradesh 5582 5582 0 493 0 0 0 0 0 12011 23668
22 Uttarakhand 2870 0 5543 810 0 0 0 0 0 6300 15523
23 West Bengal 453 0 6740 8551 1136 0 8403 568 0 16914 42765
24 UT-Lakshadweep 0 0 9597 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9597
25 UT-Puducherry 71 283 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 203 571
26 UT-DNH 49 0 12109 17 0 0 0 0 0 30 12205
27 UT-Chandigarh 0 10300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10300
28 UT-Jammu & 0 0 1150 0 245 0 0 0 230 560 2185
Kashmir
29 UT-Ladakh 0 0 0 0 46 0 0 0 15 231 292
30 UT-Andaman & 350 0 2250 1000 150 0 0 100 170 0 4020
Nicobar Islands
31 UT-DIU & 0 0 14006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14006
Daman
Total 284410 401816 10613793 141810 325096 13530 35762 2425 12486 2344016 1417514
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Note -CD-Check dam, RS-Recharge Shaft, RTRWH-R oof Top Rainwater Harvesting, PT=Percolation Tank,
DS- Desilting, SSD- Sub-Surface Dyke, SS Dev/WS Dev- Springshed Development/Watershed Development
activities, Others - Other Structures
3ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 860
TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING “MASTERPLAN FOR
ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE OF GROUNDWATER”.
Scope for Artificial Recharge for Master Plan for Artificial Recharge-2020
S. State Estimated rainwater
No harnessing potential
(MCM)
1 Andhra Pradesh 1246.95
2 Bihar 66352.03
3 Chhattisgarh 8609.63
4 Delhi 94.62
5 Goa 393.16
6 Gujarat 4459.26
7 Haryana 679.26
8 Jharkhand 4898.06
9 Karnataka 12874.17
10 Kerala 12455.00
11 Madhya Pradesh 9188.29
12 Maharashtra 3871.98
13 Odisha 1786.49
14 Punjab 1200.99
15 Rajasthan 5305.00
16 Sikkim 332.41
17 Tamil Nadu 959.33
18 Telangana 1186.47
19 Uttar Pradesh 2743.00
20 Uttarakhand 33449.00
21 West Bengal 8532.86
22 UT-Puducherry 32.05
23 UT-DNH 6.50
24 UT-Andaman & Nicobar 4436.05
Islands
TOTAL 185092.56
Note: Accurate estimation for North-Eastern and Hilly states is not possible due to
complex hydrogeological conditions.
*****
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